B.A./8270/2026 of PRASHANT KUMAR Vs THE STATE OF JHARKHAND on 8 October 2026

[2026:JHHC:30245] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI

B.A. No.8270 of 2026

------ Prashant Kumar, aged about 35 years, Son of Kanhai Lal Sah @ Kanhai Sah, resident of Kelabari Shimalanagar, P.O. & P.S. – Sahibganj, District – Sahibganj. .... .... …. Petitioner

Versus The State of Jharkhand

.... .... .... Opposite Party

------ CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY

------

For the Petitioner : Mr. Vikas Kumar, Advocate For the State

: Mr. Pankaj Kumar, P.P.

------ Order No:-03 Dated:-08-10-2026

Heard the parties. The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Barhait P.S. Case No. 71 of 2026 registered for the offences punishable under Sections 316(2), 316(5), 318(4), 338, 336(3), 336(4), 340(2) of the B.N.S., 2023. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner has cheated and committed criminal breach of trust by swindling away money of 25-30 beneficiaries, by promising to make pension available to them even though they are not residents of Hiranpur Panchayat. The informant Block Development Officer conducted a preliminary enquiry and it was found that altogether 9628 undeserving beneficiaries have been illegally added without any valid document and 4620 illegal entries have been made by Rahul Kumar Mandal and the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was the data entry operator in the office of DC, Sahibganj and using forged signature of the informant and In-charge, Block Panchayat Raj Officer, Barhait, falsely approved Akbar Ansari, Panchayat – Chuchhi, for disability pension and similarly, the case of other persons have also been approved in respect of Old Age Pension; without approval of any competent authority. It is next submitted that there is further allegation against the petitioner that huge amount of money was transferred to ineligible and non-deserving persons for their personal gain. It is then submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is false. It is also submitted that charge sheet has been submitted against the petitioner but no witness has been examined as yet. It is further submitted that the petitioner is not named in the FIR and he has been implicated in this case only on the basis of confessional statement of the co-accused Rahul Kumar Mandal. It is next submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 16.06.2026 as mentioned in para-17 of the instant bail application. It is then submitted that the petitioner has no criminal antecedent as mentioned in para-16 of the instant bail application. It is also submitted that the co-accused, with similar allegations, has already been admitted to bail by this Court vide order dated 28.09.2026 passed in B.A. No.9077 of 2026. It is lastly submitted that the petitioner undertakes to co-operate with the trial of the case and also undertakes not to annoy or disturb the witnesses of the case in any manner during the trial of the case. Hence, it is submitted that the petitioner be released on bail.

Learned counsel appearing for the State opposes the prayer for bail of the petitioner.

Considering the facts of this case, the above-named petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned SDJM, Sahibganj in connection with Barhait P.S. Case No. 71 of 2026 with the condition that he will co-operate with the trial of the case and furnish his mobile number and photocopy of the Aadhar Card in the court below with an undertaking that he will not change his mobile number during the trial of the case and he will not annoy or disturb the witnesses of the case in any manner during the trial of the case.

(Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.) Dated:-08.10.2026 Saroj/